Mentoring sessions 2016 ( May to August )
For Friday nights 5pm to 7pm. contact Malcolm Connell , connellmjm@hotmail.com
For Saturday mornings 9am. to noon, contact Craig Toth, craig.toth@hotmail.com
For Friday nights 5pm to 7pm. contact Malcolm Connell , connellmjm@hotmail.com
For Saturday mornings 9am. to noon, contact Craig Toth, craig.toth@hotmail.com
We are very thankful for the following people who have stepped up in our organization to lead us through the 2016-2017 year. It’s people like those you see below who help make beekeeping in Edmonton and Area an amazing experience. Please thank them, next time you see them.
President – Craig Toth , 460-7773 ,craig.toth@hotmail.com
Vice President – Malcolm Connell, 780-239- 9649 ,connellmjm@hotmail.com
Secretary/Newsletter – Sarah Willians ,swillans@syban.net
Treasurer – Malcolm Connell, 780-239- 9649 ,connellmjm@hotmail.com
To become a member please make cheques out to:
‘Edmonton and District Beekeepers Association’
Post cheques to Malcolm Connell: 72 Morgan Crescent, St. Albert T8N 2E4
Cor De Witt ,780-986- 8582
Murray Golden ,peg.golden@hotmail.com
Ray Powell ,gm471@hotmail.com
Troy Donovan ,troymd@gmail.com
Our EDBA Constitution can be found here.
The University of Manitoba is hosting an international design competition called BEE/HOUSE/LAB, challenging people to create imaginative and functional houses for solitary bees.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/bee-home-competition-1.3475764
Edmonton District Beekeepers Association
April 14, 2016
Honourable Oneil Carlier
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
Office of the Minister
Agriculture and Forestry
229 Legislature Building
10800 – 97 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
T5K 2B6
To: The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
Re: Inspection Requirements for Moving Honey Bees into Alberta and Hybrid Canola Pollination in Southern Alberta in Spring 2016.
The Edmonton District Beekeepers Association (EDBA) would like to voice its support for Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s protocol on the movement of hives between BC and Alberta and within Alberta. This protocol was drafted due to the discovery of small hive beetle in BC.
EDBA is composed of over 100 small-scale beekeepers who generally live within two hours of Edmonton. We have operated as a club since ???. Our members sell at many of the farmers markets within and around Edmonton and are supplying many residents of the area with honey via farm gate sales. Although we do not produce as much honey as commercial beekeepers, 100% of our honey is sold locally. We contribute significantly to the local economy and our direct-to-consumer sales means it is really us, the small-scale beekeepers, who are the public face of Alberta’s beekeepers.
EDBA is concerned about preventing the spread of SHB to Alberta for two main reasons:
As hobbyists, we support the proposed protocol because we agree it will help protect our hives from the small hive beetle. As we see it, there are two potential ways SHB could enter the hives in this area:
With bees already very much in the media, we think it is prudent for the Alberta government to take precautionary steps to limit the spread of SHB. It seems every Albertan who watches the news or reads the paper is concerned about the plight of the honeybee. Given the current attention being paid to honeybees, it is our hope that SHB does not reach Albertan beekeepers due to inaction by our government.
Sincerely,
EDBA Board Member’s signatures.
March Meeting
Thank you to Dr. Nasr for discussing the small hive beetle and its spread!
– 1/3 of Canada’s honey bees live in Alberta.
– Small hive beetle has been found in BC’s Fraser Valley and Southern Ontario, they are from South Africa.
– The Small Hive Beetle is solid black or dark brown, about as big as a bees thorax, and doesn’t like the light. It feeds on honey and Pupae, and leaves a yeast which ferments honey, making it smell like rotting oranges.
– A single brood frame = 6000 Larvae, the beetles move with bees.
– Beetles will live with a cluster for up to 18 months, and will trick bees into feeding them over winter.
– Strong colonies can isolate the beetle, and ensure it doesn’t spread.
– Look under pollen patties for grubs – they love it.
– Cappings left in a bucket are free beetle food – they love it! Try to extract in 2 days. Melt wax, and clean it another time.
– Alberta is trying to slow the spread of Small Hive Beetle, Medhat soon hopes to have beetle traps – please send beetles you find to Medhat – bee@gov.ab.ca
Try not to bring things from BC – buy Alberta Bees. Reduce Risk by Reducing Exposure.
Randy Oliver’s Nosema Sampling Method
The EDBA is a not for profit organization which promotes awareness and education related to the honey bee (Apis Mellifera) and beekeeping in general.
The EDBA has been providing beekeeper support for over 50 years! Currently, the EDBA has over 100 members who reside in the capital city region. Our members are both commercial and hobbyist beekeepers. Our meetings are held seven times throughout the year and often include informative guest speakers.
Members are kept up to date on the latest advancements in beekeeping and bee health.
Memberships are $25 / year and new members have access to the mentorship program which partners an experienced beekeeper with a beginner.
Each spring, Alberta Agriculture offers an Introduction to Beekeeping class for beginners. Dr. Nasr hosts the event and he invites a number of guest speakers to share their expertise with the class. The class is two days long and incorporates theory with hands on practice. The course is typically held in late May – early June. See links for more articles dealing with various aspects of beekeeping.
We happily welcome new members.